The South Dakota State Fair

 

The first State Fair was held in Huron in 1885, but the original plan was to have the fair rotate between towns every two years.   The 1887 and 1888 fairs were hosted by Mitchel, then the following two years at Aberdeen, followed by Sioux Falls, and Aberdeen once more.  At that point, it was felt that the fair should be at a more "permanent" location, and it was decided that Yankton would be that location.  For the next nine years, the fair was held there, but for a variety of reasons, in 1905, it was moved to Huron. The Chicago Northwestern Railroad made a $50,000 donation in the form of 85 acres of land in Huron for the purpose of providing permanent fairgrounds, and the State Fair has been held in Huron ever since.

 

 

Families came from all over to enjoy the festivities, which included exhibits and activities in the areas of 4-H, agriculture, women's interests, and of course the midway, races, and grandstand shows, which consisted of fireworks, circuses, and variety acts.  There were picnic areas as well, for tired and hungry families to take a break from the day's activities.   My great-grandparents and their children were among those in attendance, and the story has been told of Great-Grandma packing a delicious lunch of fried chicken and potato salad into the trunk of the car, and everyone would assemble back at the car when it was time to eat.  It was a miracle that no one got food poisoning!

 

The Beadle County Building, above, and the poultry barn, below, were built 1907-1908.

 

 

Above: The racetrack, and below, the midway

 

 

 

Sources:

Photos: Roger Anderson

"Huron Revisited" by Huss, Kuni, Lampe & Moxon

"History: The South Dakota State Fair" from http://www.sdstatefair.com

 

 

 

 

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